Material characteristics and sample inspection requirements are the single most important factors when choosing a materialographic solution. Struers develops 1,000 new methods every year, most of them as a single customer service. We continously add extracts to our methods database.

About Electrolytic Preparation

A fast and efficient method.

Electrolytic preparation is a fast and efficient method for metallographic preparation, providing a deformation-free surface, whereas mechanical grinding and polishing tends to leave a thin deformation layer at the surface.

Using the electrolytic polishing equipment, the specimen is configured as the anode in a suitable electrolyte, and material is removed by controlled dissolution of the surface of the specimen. Electrolytic polishing can be followed by an electrolytic etching process to bring forth contrasts in the microstructure of the specimen.

How to Do Electrolytic Preparation

To do electrolytic preparation, the right method needs to be selected. Struers’ equipment contains ten standard methods for different materials. If these standard methods do not fit the material, a correct electrolyte can be selected from the Selection of Electrolyte list. Having selected the correct electrolyte for your purpose, it is necessary to determine the polishing voltage. This is done using a scan function that is built into the electrolytic preparation equipment.

Correct application settings

After placing a specimen on the polishing table, a pre-defined voltage range is scanned to determine the current density curve. This curve is used to define the correct polishing voltage for the polishing or thinning process. The other parameters to be determined are polishing time and the flow rate. Once the correct application settings have been determined, they can be stored in the database and recalled for subsequent polishing tasks.

Safety is important.

Safety is a key word when dealing with electrolytes, and all users must be familiar with the relevant safety procedures.

How to Do Electrolytic Preparation

Selection of Electrolyte

Several materials can be polished/etched with more than one of the electrolytes.
The right choice depends on the composition of the material and what you want to see.